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iAGCO
Apply online for a manufacturerβs licence using our online self-service iAGCO portal.
Fees
Fees vary depending on the type of manufacturerβs licence you want.Β Β
Contact us
Need help? Contact us now by email or telephone.Β
Overview
There are three types manufacturerβs licence to sell:Β
Manufacturerβs licence β wineryΒ
A winery licence allows a manufacturer to keep (store) wine with the intent to sell, or sell wine according to theβ―regulations.Β
Manufacturerβs licence β breweryΒ
A brewery licence allows a manufacturer to keep (store) beer with the intent to sell, or sell beer according to theβ―regulations.Β
Manufacturerβs licence β distilleryΒ
A distillery licence allows a manufacturer to keep (store) with the intent to sell, or sell spirits according to the regulations.Β
Distribution and warehousing
Generally, manufacturers can distribute their own beer, or the product of another similar manufacturer, to people who have bought it from the LCBO or someone else whoβs allowed to sell liquor.Β Β
See the related guide for each licence type for the details on what you can distribute and how it can be stored. To βdistributeβ means to transport liquor, which includes storing it during its transportation, to people who have bought it from the LCBO, or someone else whoβs allowed to sell liquor. It doesnβt include transporting it to customers for consumption. For more information on this, refer to liquor delivery.
This could be anotherβ―AGCO-licensed manufacturer. It could also be a third-party who isnβt licensed by theβ―AGCO. Third-party carriers must also comply with related requirements.Β
A note on off-site warehouses: manufacturers canβt promote, take orders or sell liquor from an off-site warehouse. You also canβt use an off-site warehouse to service deliveries to consumers. You must keep records for any offsite storage places that store liquor. Youβll need to provide that information to the AGCO on request.Β
You can use certain third-party service providers to distribute your product. These service providers donβt need to have a licence from theβ―AGCO to distribute liquor from the brewery. However, you must still comply with the liquor licence and control act, its regulations, and standards.Β Β
Eligibility
To be eligible for a manufacturer's licence to sell, you must be:Β
- 19 years of age or olderΒ
- Financially responsibleΒ
- Conduct the business within the law and with integrity and honesty (please note that this may include, among other activities, police records checks)Β Β
Applicants are generally not allowed any direct or indirect financial ownership in a business holding a Liquor Sales Licence (e.g., licensed restaurants and bars). Please refer to section 20 of Regulation 746/21 under the liquor licence and control act, 2019 (LLCA) for further information.Β
The AGCO issues manufacturerβs licences to people or businesses to operate at a specific location. As the licensee, youβre in charge of maintaining the licence.Β
You canβt make alcohol with a manufacturerβs licence. You need an Excise licence from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) under the Excise Act and the Excise Act, 2001, to produce or package alcohol in Canada.Β Β Β
To apply for or renew your manufacturer's licences you must use the iAGCO portal.Β Β
Fees
Type of applicationΒ | One timeΒ | Two yearsΒ | Four yearsΒ |
New applicationΒ | Β | Β | Β |
Brewery licenceΒ | N/AΒ | $3,150Β | $6,300Β |
Distillery licenceΒ | N/AΒ | $2,520Β | $5,040Β |
Winery licenceΒ | N/AΒ | $1,260Β | $2,520Β |
Step 1: Prepare your application
As part of your application, youβll need to submit these things:Β
- Tax compliance verification number andβ―attestation. You must:β―Β
- Complete the tax compliance verification process and obtain your tax compliance verification number through the Ministry of Financeβsβ―Tax Compliance Verification portal.β―Β
- Attest to your tax complianceβ―status.β―Β
- Seeβ―information bulletin: new tax compliance verification requirements for liquor licensees come into effect July 1, 2023, for details.Β
- Summary of your business plan. This should include:Β
- Aβ―full description of the products to be manufactured onβ―siteΒ
- Floor plans showing the complete layout of the manufacturing facility, including equipment and proposed location of any retail store to be located at the production siteβ―(ifβ―applicable)Β
- How you plan to sell your product(s) (e.g.,β―LCBO, under a winery retail store endorsement,β―export)Β
- If your product(s) will be manufactured at a facility other than your own (pleaseβ―provideβ―details)Β
- Copy of Federal Excise Licence
You need an Excise licence from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) under the Excise Act and the Excise Act, 2001, to produce or package alcohol in Canada.Β - Copy of Licence to Process (grapes, peaches, pears, plums and cherries)
If youβre making Ontario wines from these fruits, you need a licence to process. You get this from the Farm Products Marketingβ―Commission.Β - Written proof ofβ―LCBOβ―product testingΒ
Please contact theβ―LCBOβ―for further information, including laboratoryβ―testingβ―fees. Contact information can be found in theβ―key liquor industry contacts page.Β - Copy of business name registrationΒ
This is the business name under which you intend to operate. You may have to register under theβ―business namesβ―act.Β - Entity disclosure (if applicable)Β
Provide the names of anyone or any business that holds 10% or more of the outstanding shares or a class of shares. For complete information, please refer to the personal and entity disclosure requirements guide: liquor licences.Β - Personal disclosure
Provide personal disclosures from all the following people (where it applies):Β Β- Soleβ―proprietorsΒ
- All officersβ―and/orβ―directorsΒ
- Allβ―partnersΒ
- Any shareholder holding 10% or more of the outstanding shares or a classβ―ofβ―sharesΒ
Step 2: Apply online
To get a manufactures licence, you must set up an iAGCO account. Once you've set up your iAGCO account, you can apply for a licence.
Apply for a manufacturer's brewery licence
Apply for a manufacturer's distillery licence
Apply for a manufacturer's winery licence
Step 3: Wait for a decision
We try to process applications promptly. There may be delays if there are complexities with the application or if we need to more information from you.
Know your responsibilities
Once the AGCO has issued your manufacturerβs licence, youβll want to operate your winery, brewery or distillery properly. As the manufacturer, you must comply with theβ―liquor licence and control act, its regulations, and standards.Β